Zelda wouldn’t ever blame or judge anyone if they wanted to go. Talien had more reasons than most to not be able to stay in the forest any longer. She was certain, after Dexter made his choice known to the family, that Talien would be hurt and Zelda couldn’t blame her. It was part the reason she wondered if she had seen less and less of Alexander over the last few seasons, and now it seemed the wolf she thought her most loyal champion had distanced himself and set to work on his own tasks rather than hover around her as he used to. During the ball she had hurt him, she had told him she wasn’t sure if she was worthy of his affections, and since it seemed as though their friendship was over. Since then as well though she had had her imprint move in upon her den, giving him more reason perhaps to step back, and while no one even knew of Lazarus and her’s connection, not even her own mother, she was certain if Lex had seen or noticed his scent around the den he would… misunderstand. There was nothing truly romantic between them, but Zelda knew the pain of the heart could be so great. It was why she held, even Lazarus, at leg’s length now. Now that it seemed Hyrule wasn’t to return, well… It was hard to trust or even give her heart again not knowing if what was between them was really ‘over’ and part of her still hoped to see his white and silver form trotting through the forest once more just randomly one day.

So, needing some time away from them, from this… She understood Talien so much it hurt.

To see the silver wolfess return though brought a smile to Zelda’s maw, a friendly wave of her tail, and while tired she was very glad to see she was unharmed and well. Though when Talien replied to Zelda’s greeting she couldn’t help but give a bit of a hapless laugh. ”I wouldn’t say too much… but trouble… yes. You have missed a lot and so little at the same time, but I will not bother you with the minute details when this is a joyous time for us.” Her tail waves again thoughts he thinks of Iromar, of the changes in Diveen, of Asteraia as well. What was more a hurried request of a favor had come from Teza’s maw, her cousin, her Champion of something being wrong with his soul… It came from Asteraia. Since finding her bond with Lazarus, Zelda took matters of the soul quite seriously. Their bond grew and etched their way deeper and deeper the more they spent time with each other, as if it deepened just because they were close together. He was frantic… and Zelda wasn’t going to let him stay that way.

Zelda was happy to listen to Talien’s request, and statement. ”You are never a trouble, Talien, Taviora is lucky to have you.” She said dipping her head to the wolfess lightly. She lifted her gaze back up to the wolfess as she explained that no matter what happened between her and Zelda’s uncle that the forest was her home. She smiled at that, she knew just how Talien felt. Despite the hurt she felt and the memories it held Taviora was the only place she could ever call her home. She nodded though she paused at Talien’s request that she would like to challenge for the Focus rank. ”Well you certainly wouldn’t have to do it yourself, but you are in luck. I was approached by Astrid not long ago and she told me she actually wanted to retire, but said her son might be trying for the rank, but I haven’t heard much since. I know you are worthy, so all you would need to do is hold a small pack hunt, or a lesson for some of our young ones, at the very least.” If Talien wanted to do more Zelda wouldn’t stop her, but Zelda already heard from Nenetl about how she had been taught by her mother extensively, so Talien was certainly capable. Just she might have contenders on her climb it would be a race more than a challenge now.

”If that is something you would like to do, then you can start your task at your leisure.” Zelda said smiling. It was soon to be winter, having a new lead hunter for spring would be ideal. Zelda wasn’t sure if any wolves in Taviora would be having children, but a lead hunter was always an important rank to have filled.